The 27 Best Netflix Documentary Series: Top Netflix Documentaries to Binge Now
(Photo by Courtesy Netflix)
Ever since Making A Murderer debuted in 2015, introducing the world to the Avery and Dassey families and defining what would make for water-cooler TV in the streaming era, Netflix has been pushing out compelling documentary series one after the other. It seems that every six or so months, another Netflix documentary lands, and the world is once again caught up in a wild tale of corruption, murder, and mystery, most often populated with extremely colorful characters. But which are the most compelling and bingeable documentary series on the streaming service?
To help answer that question, we went through every documentary series available on Netflix, collected the most critically acclaimed, and ranked them by Tomatometer. Our criteria was simple: To be included, the series had to be Fresh and have accrued reviews from more than 10 critics. Where there were ties, the title with more reviews ranked higher.
In the list, you’ll discover some famous series that dominated headlines and captured the zeitgeist upon their release, current conversation-starter Tiger King among them. You’ll also discover that Netflix documentaries cover subjects far beyond death and trials and fascinating cold cases. Want to see what it takes to make it as a young athlete? Press play on Cheer and Last Chance U. Looking for some foodie inspiration? Ugly Delicious and Salt Fat Acid Heat should satisfy. In the mood for a bit of nature? Try Dogs or David Attenborough’s Our Planet.
Of course, there’s definitely plenty of murder and mayhem if that’s your jam, too. You’ll pretty much find it all in our guide to Netflix’s best documentary series.
What’s your favorite Netflix documentary? Let us know in the comments.
Adjusted Score: 53.225%
Critics Consensus: Don’t F**k With Cats offers an intriguing tale, but questionable intent and muddled storytelling make it a hard sell for anyone but true crime completists.
Synopsis: A twisted criminal’s gruesome videos drive a group of amateur online sleuths to launch a risky manhunt that pulls them… [More]
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Adjusted Score: 70.603%
Critics Consensus: Host David Farrier’s empathetic curiosity keeps Dark Tourist from feeling too exploitative — though shallow observations about its macabre destinations often leave something to be desired.
Synopsis: A look at strange and often dangerous tourism spots around the world…. [More]
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Adjusted Score: 73.763%
Critics Consensus: The Innocent Man will satisfy true crime aficionados looking for a slickly packaged mystery, but viewers seeking a more probing deconstruction of the justice system may come away disappointed.
Synopsis: In 1982, 21-year-old Debra Sue «Debbie» Carter is raped and killed inside her home. In 1984, another Ada woman, 24-year-old… [More]
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Adjusted Score: 75.148%
Critics Consensus: Though it can’t help but feel a little incomplete given the circumstances, The Killer Inside crafts a compelling overview of a series of tragic events.
Synopsis: As a gifted young football athlete from Bristol, Connecticut, Aaron Hernandez had capitalized rapidly on his promise, playing for a… [More]
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Adjusted Score: 76.782%
Critics Consensus: Chelsea Does manages to investigate some meaningful topics, but the show’s polarizing namesake is also its greatest liability.
Synopsis: A documentary series exploring four topics: marriage; racism; technology; and drugs…. [More]
Adjusted Score: 76.555%
Critics Consensus: The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is a sobering, if at times too sensational for its own good, exposé of a very broken system.
Synopsis: In 2013, 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez died as a result of horrific and prolonged abuse by his mother and her boyfriend…. [More]
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Adjusted Score: 70.966%
Critics Consensus: Though The Family‘s open ended-ness undermines its impact, it manages to craft a compelling picture of a shocking truth.
Synopsis: Investigative journalists expose The Family, a Christian fundamentalist organization quietly operating in the corridors of power in Washington, D.C…. [More]
Adjusted Score: 81.404%
Critics Consensus: Evil Genius makes up for a lack of conviction and nuance with an intriguing sense of discovery and plenty of entertaining insanity.
Synopsis: In 2003 in Erie, Pennsylvania, a robbery gone wrong and a terrifying public murder capture the nation’s attention, and a… [More]
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Adjusted Score: 72.281%
Critics Consensus: A fascinating, if incomplete, look at the history and future of black film, They Gotta Have Us is essential viewing for film buffs and new fans alike.
Synopsis: A portrait of how art and activism for black people in film are indivisible from race and cinema…. [More]
Synopsis: Filmed over a 10-year period, Making a Murderer is an unprecedented real-life thriller about a DNA exoneree who, while in… [More]
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Adjusted Score: 92.613%
Critics Consensus: Wormwood‘s real-life mystery unfolds in hypothetical tendrils guided by Errol Morris’ singular vision and style that will keep viewers engaged despite the four-hour run time.
Synopsis: Combining a virtuosic performance by Peter Sarsgaard with Morris’ legendary interview style, Wormwood examines this case from every possible angle,… [More]
Adjusted Score: 92.042%
Critics Consensus: Dogs is a kindhearted series that offers viewers a glimpse of several extraordinary canines and the people they orbit, resulting in a hopeful celebration of humanity and its best friend.
Synopsis: An elegant, engaging and cinematic verite documentary series celebrating the deep emotional bonds between people and their beloved four-legged best… [More]
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Adjusted Score: 94.661%
Critics Consensus: A cornucopia of visual wonder and environmental advocacy, Our Planet‘s breathtaking cinematography explores more of this beautiful, blue marble while presenting an urgent call to action to its inhabitants.
Synopsis: The ambitious four-year project has been filmed in 50 countries across all the continents of the world, with crew capturing… [More]
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Synopsis: Directed by Greg Whiteley (Mitt, New York Doll, Resolved), Last Chance U is a character driven, gut-wrenching behind-the-scenes look at… [More]
Adjusted Score: 97.09%
Critics Consensus: The Staircase — in its newly expanded form — offers a gripping, detailed depiction of the complex justice system, even if the overall narrative lacks objectivity.
Synopsis: Documentary series focusing on a murder case in North Carolina…. [More]
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Adjusted Score: 95.603%
Critics Consensus: Flint Town dives deep into an essential subject matter with admirable objectivity while presenting candid — and hard-hitting — personal testimonials.
Synopsis: In the aftermath of the Flint water crisis, Flint Town takes an intimate look at the state of policing in… [More]
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Adjusted Score: 95.683%
Critics Consensus: Bobby Kennedy for President crafts a poignant, nuanced view of a political process and a human being.
Synopsis: The eye-opening and transformative four-part docuseries Bobby Kennedy for President utilizes rare and never-before-seen archival footage — much of it… [More]
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Adjusted Score: 97.201%
Critics Consensus: With an inspirational troupe of teens and willingness to engage in the tougher trials facing the sport today, Cheer perfectly captures the highs and lows of what it takes to be a cheerleader.
Synopsis: This gripping docuseries follows the ups and downs of Navarro College’s competitive cheer squad as they work to win a… [More]
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Adjusted Score: 98.471%
Critics Consensus: The Vietnam War revisits a dark chapter in American history with patience, grace, and a refreshing — and sobering — perspective informed by those who fought.
Synopsis: A history of the Vietnam War that features insights from U.S. soldiers, Americans who opposed the war, Vietnamese combatants and… [More]
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Adjusted Score: 98.196%
Critics Consensus: The Keepers draws on riveting, real-life terror to expose long-buried secrets — and tells a brilliantly assembled story along the way.
Synopsis: A deep dive into the unsolved murder of a nun and the mysteries that surround her death decades later…. [More]
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Adjusted Score: 98.763%
Critics Consensus: Five Came Back tells an inspiring story to captivating effect, offering viewing that should appeal to historians and film buffs in equal measure.
Synopsis: This docuseries explores the actions of five filmmakers who left Hollywood to serve in World War II…. [More]
Adjusted Score: 100.526%
Critics Consensus: Wild Wild Country succeeds as an intriguing examination of a forgotten piece of American history that must be seen to be believed.
Synopsis: Over six episodes, Directors Chapman Way and Maclain Way (The Battered Bastards of Baseball) and executive producers Mark and Jay… [More]
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Adjusted Score: 100.042%
Critics Consensus: Salt Fat Acid Heat distinguishes itself from other cooking programs with Samin Nosrat’s approachable and educational teaching style, celebrating the essential ingredients of a good meal with an international perspective.
Synopsis: Based on Samin Nosrat’s best-selling, James Beard Award-winning book, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat is the essential guide to the basic… [More]
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Adjusted Score: 100.153%
Critics Consensus: As emotional as it is illuminating, Diagnosis‘ deep dives into the lives of patients navigating complicated health care systems is at once harrowing and hopeful.
Synopsis: Dr. Lisa Sanders crowdsources diagnoses for rare and mysterious medical conditions in a documentary series based on her New York… [More]
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Synopsis: Dirty Money is a thrilling investigative series from Oscar Award-winning director Alex Gibney, which provides an up-close and personal view… [More]
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Synopsis: From James Beard Award-Winning Chef David Chang and Academy Award-Winning Director Morgan Neville comes Ugly Delicious, challenging both our taste… [More]
Adjusted Score: 102.254%
Critics Consensus: A bizarre true crime story you have to see to believe, Tiger King is a messy and captivating portrait of obsession gone terribly wrong.
Synopsis: Among the eccentrics and cult personalities in the stranger-than-fiction world of big cat owners, few stand out more than Joe… [More]
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Thumbnail images courtesy of Netflix.
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Rotten Tomatoes
